Shelby County commissioners stalled new construction in the Dunnavant Valley of North Shelby County until a Jan. 18 vote on zoning the unincorporated beat.

On Monday, Probate Judge Patricia Fuhrmeister verified petition signatures calling for the zoning vote. Any zoning vote petition must include at least 15 percent of registered voters who are landowners within the beat.

The moratorium on new development excludes projects already granted building permits or reviewed by the planning staff.

The moratorium is intended to allow residents to see current land use maps and proposed zoning maps before voting, according to Planning Commission Chairman Ralph Thomas.

&uot;The purpose of the moratorium is to put on hold any proposed development so that if those people in that area vote for zoning, then they will have an opportunity to prevent undesirable development,&uot; Thomas said.

&uot;Also, it provides during that period an opportunity for residents to see what the proposed zoning will be by parcel.&uot;

Also during Monday’s county commission meeting:

* Commissioners increased water and sewer utility rates for county customers 3 percent. The increase begins next month and will pay for new utility infrastructure